THERE were record numbers for the 23rd Redcar Half Marathon run in brilliant sunshine.

A field of nearly 1,400 runners started the race, which used chip timing for the first time. The athletes wore micro-chips on their ankles and their placings were recorded automatically as they crossed special timing mats at the finish.

Local lad Stephen Hepples, from Loftus Athletics Club, powered across the finishing line to win the event in 68min 35sec. The fastest woman was Louise Gardner from Lancaster who posted a time of 79min 17sec.

Britain's most successful paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, was beaten on her adopted home turf of Redcar. She finished in 51min 24 sec, behind Shelley Woods who finished in 47min 5sec. Overall winner of the wheelchair section was Jason Richards in 46min 59sec.

Runners from all over the UK took part in the event sponsored for the second year by Liberata.

Jane Hierons, events organiser, said everyone agreed there had been a great atmosphere.

She said: "It was fantastic. Maybe the weather had something to do with it, but Tanni has her own big following and it is the 23rd year. People came from around the country.

"It is also good for training, with the London Marathon in the next couple of weeks. It has been a brilliant, excellent day."

Coun Dave Fitzpatrick, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "The number of entries for this year's half marathon is testament to its huge popularity."